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    University of Calgary Reviews

    Updated 13 April, 2019
    499 reviews

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    3.9
    StarStarStarStarStar
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    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    University of Calgary President Elizabeth Cannon
    Elizabeth Cannon
    170 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

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    Pros
    Cons

    • "Low salary, work space is limited" (in 17 reviews)

    • "Really is no Cons, great place to work" (in 11 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons

    1. "IT Support"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at University of Calgary part-time

      Pros

      Great team environment, hours are flexible

      Cons

      Many changes in leadership role

    2. "Flexible environment"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at University of Calgary part-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Flexible schedule and ability to take additional training to advance career. Good work life balance with the flexible hours makes it easy to pick up children

      Cons

      The hiring process takes a little time and the on-board If could have been done better to allow employees to more quickly fulfill their duties

      Advice to Management

      To create an environment that gives the employee opportunities to learn new skills and to give and receive constructive feedback.

      3. Join the University of Calgary team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "Great benefits and pay"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Data Analyst
      Former Employee - Data Analyst
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at University of Calgary full-time (More than 5 years)

      Pros

      - Great benefits, second to none
      - Pay is above average for roles in the industry
      - Management encourages work life balance

      Cons

      - Once past the probation period, most support staff are part of the union and as such cannot be fired no matter how bad the mistake can be
      - No real plans for movement to a leadership position or to a senior role
      - No real ability to negotiate your salary upwards

      Advice to Management

      Consider helping staff to get the most out of their careers and offer secondment opportunities to other business units so that they can advance their careers and skills. Many staff that leave the company isn't because of the amount of work or culture, but because their concerns or inability to advance. Management is also slow to move on new ideas that could be beneficial to the workplace or projects even when significant evidence is shown.

    4. "Great place, with the right management"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at University of Calgary full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Fortunately, I have a manager that allows me a lot of freedom to drive new initiatives. This is not common, but matches well with my personality

      Cons

      Tends to be a lot of fiefdoms, politics and personal agendas, which is frustrating for someone who tries to build cross-organizational collaboration

    5. "Lifeguard/Instructor"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Aquatics Lifeguard
      Current Employee - Aquatics Lifeguard

      I have been working at University of Calgary part-time

      Pros

      - Friendly work environment
      - Flexible schedule

      Cons

      - long inservices
      - must teach saturday lessons

    6. "Varies significantly based on manager and program"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      Pros

      Tuition support program
      Transparent pay levels
      Relaxed dress code
      Lots of training programs
      Potential for upward movement

      Cons

      The job profile that I accepted is not the job that I have and I haven't found anyone that cares. To me, shows a complete lack of respect.
      Managers that come from academics don't have running a business as part of their expertise so they don't know the fundamentals, even so far as they don't know basic terms.
      Don't feel listened to, even though hired as a specialist and am trying to give advice based on my specialty.
      Lack of appreciation or recognition.
      Internal movement is difficult for some positions because they are in high demand and seniority rules.
      Inefficiency and lack of communication with my team.
      Staff having little or no experience outside of the university.

      Advice to Management

      The experience varies a lot depending on the department and the manager, so maybe pay more attention to who gets moved into those roles and if they are ready.
      Hire business people to run the aspects of the organization that need to function as a business.
      Ensure that the staff you are moving into managerial positions actually have management skills instead of just technical skills.
      Better vetting for new job postings regarding what certifications are necessary and what the responsibilities are, especially ensuring that the manager posting the position has looked into what they are asking for.
      Someone working for the same university for their entire career isn't necessarily a good thing.

    7. "mechanical engineering department"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Graduate Research Assistant in Calgary, AB
      Current Employee - Graduate Research Assistant in Calgary, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at University of Calgary full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      good gym, good pool, nice gathering area

      Cons

      not good research facilities and some angry administrative

      Advice to Management

      instead of spending money on administrative stuff put it on research

    8. "Great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at University of Calgary full-time (More than 8 years)

      Pros

      Many growth and development opportunities

      Cons

      Public institution so there's been a five year salary freeze

    9. "Teaching Assistant"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at University of Calgary part-time

      Pros

      Flexible work, great supervisors, great environment

      Cons

      Low hours, lower than desired pay, union rules

    10. "Good work environment, good benefit"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at University of Calgary full-time

      Pros

      Good work environment, good benefit

      Cons

      Parking is a nightmare and the waiting lists are pretty long